Tester for breaker mechanisms



Oct. 20, 1936. G. H. ALLEN TESTER FOR REAKER MECHANISMS Filed Nov. 8, 1934 3 Shee'cS-SheeI 1 44' q t, 3o u ELL svncuko llf oct. 2o, 193e. Q H, ALLEN I 2,057,871

TESTER FOR BREAKER MECHANISMS Filed Nov. 8, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1936. G. H, ALLEN 2,057,871

TESTER FOR BREAKER MECHANISMS Filed Nov. 8, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 6am/d /7//6/*7 ATTORNEYS Patented 'Oct'. 20, 1936 UNITED STATES.

'msm Fon nnEAxEn nrncnmsus Gerald H. Allen, Kalamazoo, Mich.,

gnor to Allen Electric n Equipment Company, Kalama `loo, Mich.

* application November s, 19:4, serieu No. 151,911

The objects of this 'invention are: First, to provideV a machine for testing the breaker mechanism o! ignition systems oi' internal combustion engines to check the angular .5 spacing of the ring and to test the automatic advance and to determine the length of time the breaker points are closed to Aenergize the spark coil.

Second, to provide such an apparatus for testing the breaker in which a rotating neon tube is made to produce sharp and deiined lines at the point oflbreaking oi the primary circuit of a vspark coil. f

Third, to produce such an apparatus in which a visible electric signal is given to determine the point of iiring in which the signal may be 'either a neon tube or a spark.

Fourth, to provide such an apparatus suitable for testing the breaker mechanism of a dis- 2'0 tributor of the ignition-system of an internal combustion engine in which two spark coils areempioyed for ring separate banks of cylinders either because the motor is of the V-type with the banksof cylinders -set at odd angles or because 25 thecylinders are so numerous that'a single coil could not be energized sumcienuy between iii-ing' ofthe cylinders.

Further objects and advantages pertaining to details and economies oi' construction and opera- '.30 tion will appear `from the description to Yfollow.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the apparatus embodying my invention.I I 35 Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a protractor scale i and rotating neon'tube.

Fig. 4 is a tic view showing the circuit relationship of the various elements oi' 4o my invention.

Fig. 5 is a atic view of the circuit rn the drawings, is e. bese m which a mount- Y 65 ed a motor 2 connected to drive shaft-3 by means v 7 cnam (ci. 11i-sn) of belt 4 trained over puueys s and s. The shaft 3 is vertically mounted and, 'as in my copending application Serial No. 720,039, led April ll, 1934,

'on upright post II by means of set screw I2. The l0 f breaker mechanism 8 is of the usual type consisting of a stationary contact I3, a movable contact I4, which is supported on the arm I5 pivoted at I6 to be actuated by the cam Il which is' here shown as a six-lobe cam, thus contacting l5 the points I 3 and I4 and ,breaking them six times for each revolution of the cam. 'Ihe mechanism is grounded at I 8.

O n the shaft 3 is xed a rotating disk I9 which is provided with a radial s1it20 beneath which 20 is mounted-a neon tube 2l. This neon tube is of the asher type and consists oi a glass tube 22 having metal caps 23 at the ends thereof, so that the passage of a high tension currenttherethrough will cause the lamp to flash. The lamp 25 4is mounted beneath and in register with the slot and is grounded as indicated at 24,' the other end being connected to the collector ring 25 which contacts a brush 26 which is in turn connected by a wire 21 to the secondary 28 of a spark coil 30 29 which alsohas a primary 30.

Resistance 3| is connected in series circuit relationship with the neon tube and with the secondary -28 of the spark coil. 'I'his resistance is of substantially 100,000 ohms and is provided in the system to cause the ilash o! the neon tube to` give a clear, thin line'when the bulb 2| is lighted from the spark coil 29v while the bulb is 'being rotated. I have found that a resistance of substantially 100,000 ohms will dampen out the os- 40 cillations in the circuit to such an extent that the fading oi of the discharge is not present'and does not show as the tube is rotated during testing of the breaker mechanism. It will be appreelated that any resistance that appreciably 45 dampens the oscillations in the circuit of the neon tube and the secondary 2l oi the spark coil without cutting down appreciably the illumlnatio'n or brightness oi' the tube will be satisfactory. 50

Adjacent the disk I9 is the protractor scale 22 laid out in degrees so that by consulting the scale when the device is in operation one can determine the angular spacing of the ashes of the neon tube. The motor may be o! variable speedand a' 55 435 is made by swinging the arm 39 against contact. to complete the circuit. y

When the switch arm 39 is thrown against the contact 4I, an ammeter 42, a iixed resistance 43. a variable resistance 44 are throwninto series circuit relationship with the breaker 8 through wire 45 and with the battery 35. This ammeter I is of theusual type and is described in my copending application led of even date, Serial No. 751,972. It is connected so that when the breaker points are closed and the switch 39 is thrown to contact the arm 4I, the current from the battery will ow through the ammeter. By adjusting the variable resistance 44, 'the amount of current passing can be so arranged that the ammeter gives its full reading and, of course, gives a zero reading when the breaker points are open.

By operating the breaker mechanism, the points are opened and closed and the current from the battery passes through the ammeter a portion only of the time. The circuit outlined is non-inductive in its character so that on opening of the breaker points the current dies down immediately and on closing of the points the current immediately reaches full strength. It will thus be seen that the pointer 46 of the ammeter 42 willbe positioned at a point intermediate the ends of the scale 43 thereon. The position taken will correspond to the length of time the points I3 and I4 of the breaker 8 are closed as the average amount of current passing through the ammeter will be measured.

A switch 41 is provided for setting the ammeter. Y'Ihls is of vimportance only to avoid the necessity. for making sure that the points I3 and I4 are closed while adjusting the variable resistance to adjust the ammeter to make the test effective.

In the modification-shown in Figs. 5 and 6,

v the neontube is not connected directly to the primary of the coil by the breaker.

secondary |28 of the spark coil |29. AIn Fig. 5 I have shown the changes in the circuit which is identical in other respects with that shown in Fig. 4. The wire-|21 from the secondary |28 is connected to a xed ring 46 of conductive material which is insulated by suitable insulation 41. The neon tube I2I is of a construction similar to the tube 2I and'has one end grounded as at I24, the other end being positioned so that -during rotation of the disk I I9 its other end passes adjacent the ring 46 which is connected by the wire |21` to the secondary I28 of the spark coil |29. As the breaker mechanism operates on the primary I3II of the coll |29, the coil energizes the ring 46 which, by induction, creates a flashing in the tube I2I.

A resistor I3I, identical with the resistor 3l,

'tube I2Il is that of clear and distinct line'sindicating the points of breaking the circuit of the If desired, instead of'using a neon prior art construction of a revolving contact arm in a ring can be utilized with the secondary of the coil creating a spark from the ring to the arm as the arm is rotated. UtilizingV a resistor such as 3l or I3I in this circuit likewise prevents oscillation and produces a spark which is not fuzzy and which is sharp and dened, giving a clear indicaf tion of the point of ring without farming out of the spark as is the case when such apparatus is employed without my improved arrangement of a resistor to dampen oscillations in the circuit. I have found that using my arrangement of a resistor in series with the secondary of the s'park coil by dampening oscillations in the circuit causes the tube or spark, whichever the case may be, to give a more clearly defined sharp line so that it is easier for one conducting a test to obtain accurate lreadings to show the angular spacing of. the points of ring and to determine the l operation of the automatic spark advance which such as sixteen cylinder cars in which two coils are needed because a single coil could not be properly energized, due to the short length of time available for closing the breaker points. In this adaptation the revolving disk or member 2I9 has thereon a neon tube 22| identical with the tube 2I and there are mounted on therevolving member 2| 9 concentric rings 50 and 5I of conductive material which rings are insulated from one another and are mounted to be rotated about the axis of the disk 2I9. The member 50 is connected to one end of the neon tube and the member 5I to the other end. The rings 50 and 5I are suitably supported by insulators 53. Beneath the ring 50 is a ring of conductive material 54 which ring -is grounded through a support and adjacent the ring 5I are a pair of segmental conductive members 56 and 51 separated from one another as shown in Fig. 7 and insulated by suitablev insulating blocks 58.` The segmental members 56 and 51 are arranged to substantially form a ring adjacent the ring 5I.

In the apparatus a pair of spark coils 229 and 329 are provided, having secondaries 228 and 328. The secondary 228 is connected in series'with the segment 51 and with a resistor 23| which is iden` tical with the resistor 3l. The secondary 328 is connected with the segmental member 56 and in series with a resistor 33| which is identical with the resistor 3l. The breaker mechanism'to be tested is indicated at 208 and consists of a cam 2I1 here shown as a four-lobe cam adapted to alternately operate breaker arms 58 and 59 which cooperate with the stationary breaker members 60 and 6I respectively which are grounded as at 62 and 63 respectively.

A battery or source of electrical energy 235 is provided and through wire 236 this battery is connectedto the primaries 230and 330 of the coils 229 and 329 respectively while wire 64 connects the primary of coil 329 with the arm 58 of the breaker and the wire 65 connects the primary 230 of coil 229 with the arm 59. As the cam 2| 1 is revolved, thebreaker arms operate alternately. Thus coil 229 energizes the segment 51 which in turn energizes the ring 5I and causes the neon tube 22| to ash. Coill 329 then energizes the segment 56 which again causes ring 5| to be energized and the tube 22| to ilash, thus giving in eiect one single pattern for the firing of both coils, but in reality two separate superposedpatterns. By employing this apparatus it will be appreciated that a mechanic who knows how the pattern should appear, will be able to adjust the breaker arms to synchronize their operation and will be able to check the angular spacing of the points of ring of the breaker to adjust the same. I have shown and described my invention in the `embodiments preferred by me and wish to claim the same broadly as well as speciilcally, as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. In a device of the class described for testing the breaker mechanism of a distributor of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine, the combination of means for driving said breaker, a neon tube, means for revolving said tube about an axis in synchronism with the breaker t-o be tested, a graduated scale adjacent the path of rotation of said neon tube, a spark coil having a primary and secondary, a resistor in series with the secondary ofrsaid spark coil I and with said neon tube, said resistor being'of a resistance suiiicient to dampen the oscillations o f the circuit without appreciably cutting` down the illumination of said neon tube, a source of electricity, and means .connecting said source of electricity in series with saidA breaker mechanism and the primary of said spark coil.

2. In a device of the class described for testing the breaker mechanism of a distributor ot the ignition system of an internal combustion engine,- the combination of means for driving said breaker, a neon tube, means for revolving said tube about an axis in synchronism with the breaker to be tested, a graduated scale adjacent the path of lrotation of said neon tube, a spark coil having aprimary and secondary, a resistor of approximately 100,000 ohms in series with the secondary of said spark coil and with said neon tube, a

source of electricity, and means connecting said source of electricity in serias with said breaker mechanism and the primary of said spark coil.

3. In a device ofthe class described for testing the breaker mechanism of a distributor of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine, the combination of means for driving said breaker, a neon tube, means for revolving said neon tube about an axis in synchronism with the breaker to be tested, a-graduated scale adjacent Vthe path of rotation of said neon tube, a spark coil having a primary and a secondary, a resistor in series with the secondary of said spark coil, electrical connections between said secondary and neon tube whereby said secondary will light said neon tube, said resistor being of a resistance sufiicient to dampen the oscillations of the circuit without appreciably cutting down the illumination of said neon tube, a source of electricity, and means connecting Vsaid source of electricity in series with said breaker mechanism and the primary of said spark coil.

4. In a device of the class described for testing the breaker mechanism of a distributor of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine,

the combination of means for driving said breaker, a spark coil having a primary and a secondary, means rotatable about an axis Y in synchronism with said breaker to be'tested and carrying electrical means for giving a visible signal and adapted to give a visible electric signal on energimtion of said primary, a graduated scale adjacent the path of rotation of said electrical meanaaresistorinserieswithasecondaryof said spark coil and with said means for giving an electric signal, said resistor being oi a resistance sullicient to dampen the oscillations of the circuit without appreciably cutting down the Yintensity A said revolving member in synchronism with the breaker to be tested, a neon tube supported on said member. a pair of concentric rings of conductive materlalmounted on said revolving member to revolve around the axisthereof, said rings being connected to opposite ends of said neon tube, and being insulated from each other, a stationary groimded ring of conductive material located adjacent one of said concentric rings on said revolving member, a pair of conductive segmental members separated from each other and insulated and arranged to substantially form a ring adjacent the other ring on said revolving member, a pair of spark coils each having a primary and a secondary, a pair of resistors one in series with the secondary of one of said spark coils and with one of said conductive segmental members and the other in series with the secondary of the other of said spark coils and the other of said conductive segmental members, said'resisters being of a resistance suiiicient to dampen the oscillations of their respective circuit without appreciably cutting down the illumination of said neon tube, a source of electricity, means for connecting said source of electricity in series with one of the arms of said breaker mechanism to betestedandwiththeprimaryof one ofsad coils, and means connecting the other arm of said breaker mechanism in series with the primary of the other coil and said source of electrical energy.

6. In a device ot the class described for testing a two-arm breaker mechanism of a distributor of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine in which two spark coils are employed for tiring separate banks of cylinders, the c ombination of means for driving said breaker mechanism,

' a revolving member, means for revolving said revolving member in synchronism with the breaker to be tested, a neon tube supported on said member, a pair of concentric rings of conductive material mounted on said revolving member to revolve around the axis thereof, said rings being connected to opposite ends of said neon tube and being insulated from each other, a stationary grounded ring of conductive material located adjacentfone of said concentric rings on said resaid conductive segmental members and the other in series with the secondary of the other of said spark coils and the' other of said conductive'segmental members, said resistorsbeing of a resistance suflicient to dampen the oscillations o! their respective circuit without appreciably cutting down the illumination of said neon tube, a source of electricity, means for connecting said source of electricity in series with one of the arms of said breaker mechanism to be tested and with the primary of one of said coils, and meansf volving said revolving member in synchronis'm with the breaker to be tested, a neon tube supported on said member, a pair of concentric rings of conductive material mounted on said revolving member to revolve around the axis thereof, .said rings being connected to opposite ends of said neon tube and being insulated from each other, a stationary grounded-ring 'of conductive material located -adjacent one of said concentric rings on said revolving member, a pair of conductive segmental members separated from each other and insulated and arranged to substantially form 'a ring adjacent the other ring on said revolving member, a pair of spark coils each having a primary and a secondary, one of said segmental members being in series with the secondary of one of said spark coils and the other in series with the secondary of the other of said spark coils, a source' of electricity, means for connecting said source of .electricity in series with one of the arms of said breaker mechanism to be tested and with the primary of one of said coils,

and means connecting the other` arm of said breaker 'mechanism in series with the primary of the other coil and said source of electrical energy.

GERALD H. ALLEN. 

